Assessment of the relationships between the direction of the curve and cobb angle, plantar pressure distribution and sway in idiopatic scoliosis using pedobarography

Aim: To investigate the relationship between static and dynamic balance and type, degree and direction of the curve in scoliosis by pedobarographic method. Material and Method: Twenty-three female volunteers participated in the study. Cobb angle was measured on the AP radiographs of the subjects and the type and direction of the curve were determined. Depending on the type of the curve, subjects were divided into two groups: "type-C" (n=14) subjects had a single curve while "type-S" (n=9) subjects had two curves. Subjects had static balance measurements with their eyes open. Pedobarographic data were collected with mid-gait protocol and 7 regions were defined. Relations between the right and left foot data and the type, direction and Cobb angle of the curve were examined. Findings: There was a significant difference between type-C and type-S subjects in Dist parameter. Dynamic balance parameters did not correlate significantly with the direction of the curve. In type-C subjects, TopukCA was higher in the right foot. In type-S subjects, PF and PCP measurements were higher in the left heel and left 3rd-5th metatarsal regions and CA was higher in the right big toe region. In type-S subjects, there was no correlation between increased plantar pressure and Cobb angle. In type-C subjects, PF and PCP significantly correlated in the whole of the right sole and medial masked regions (FrstMTT, Basprmk) while there were significant correlations in Force, CP, PF and PCP in the left heel region and PF and PCP in the lateral masked regions (ScndMTT, DigerMTT). Conclusion: There is no significant relation between static balance and the type of curve in scoliosis patients. Dynamic pressure data showed that pressures on medial side of the sole of the right foot and lateral side of the sole of the left foot were greater in subjects with type-C curve and there was a left-right difference. Key words: Static balance; dynamic balance; pedobarography; scoliosis